KVR Audio

Integratron · Post by **Integratron** » Tue Dec 10, 2013 7:07 pm

I have a Dell Inspiron 530 and I want to update Windows XP to 7.

I ran the Microsoft Windows 7 update adviser and it would appear that my system is OK for Windows 7. The only exception is that my graphics card may not run with "Aero"... Is Aero something I'll need?

I called Dell and they only have Windows 8.

Perhaps a stupid question but I'm looking for advise on how to proceed and where to get Windows 7.

Thanks for any insight you share!

dsan@mail.com · Post by **dsan@mail.com** » Tue Dec 10, 2013 9:02 pm

No, not a stupid question.

You will want to disable Aero anyway on an older DAW computer to free up system resources and run (your DAW) more efficiently. I did not on my W7 cause it is not causing me problems. But then my rig was built from parts designed for W7.

Aero is nice if you have multiple programs running. You can hover your mouse over something in the task bar and instantly see what the program is. XP was a bit more difficult to know which task was which (but still good for its time). Aside from that feature I'm not sure what Aero is good for.

The only W7 install disks still available (that I am aware of) are OEM disks. These have their own set of limitations. They are supposed to be one time only installs on one computer. I have not used them so I don't know if that restriction is enforced.

With full program (retail version) you have the opportunity to install multiple times, although it may be necessary to contact MS for the activation key. OEM disks do not allow for this and MS will not offer support for OEM installed OS.

TBH, I'm not too sure of just going with W8 if your puter will allow it. I only suggest this because W7 is now a thing of the past although still supported at this time by MS (unlike XP). W8 is readily available from many sources.

Depending on the age of your computer it may not be a worthwhile upgrade for you. The biggest advantage, IMO, of going to W7 or W8 is the increase of Ram usage. But this will require an x64 machine and OS.

Your mobo and CPU may not support x64 in which case there is no sense to upgrade the OS. Again IMO. MMV.

Check at newegg dot com for W7 and W8. I have only found W8 in retail form.

HTH

Happy Musiking!
dsan

EDIT: I wanted to add - you may find online sources of W7 retail disks. Be wary of these. There are a lot of these "sources" that are offering fraudulent packages. MS no longer produces ligimate copies of W7. Make sure to trust the source before placing that order.

UltraJv · Post by **UltraJv** » Tue Dec 10, 2013 11:29 pm

If youre not a techy, be careful. It can take up to 7 hours to set up a laptop on Windows due to drivers.

Integratron · Post by **Integratron** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 12:53 am

Thanks all for that great advise.

This all stems from the fact that I just bought Drum Lab from Native Instruments and the ISO installer attempts to install Kontact Player 5.3.0. before installing Drum Lab. Kontact Player 5.3.0 is only Windows 7 or better compatible.

I have Kontact Player 5.1.0 and I'll bet that it would run with that but have yet to figure out a work around.

I have a ticket logged with NI requesting a refund but doubt that will work!

Any ideas?

dsan@mail.com · Post by **dsan@mail.com** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 2:05 am

Not to rain on your parade but not likely you will get it to work on 5.1.0

You will probably get an error message "this patch was made with a newer version of Kontakt. Please upgrade to the correct version."

Sounds like you may have a candidate for Market Place. I do wish you luck with NI issuing a refund though.

Sorry to bring negativity.

Happy Musiking!
dsan

Alfalfa · Post by **Alfalfa** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 2:37 am

I have a Dell Inspiron 530 with a Q6600 quad core processor. I added a graphics card a few years ago, but it's nothing special. This computer has had XP, Vista, 7 and 8 on it. 8 needs less from your graphics card than 7. Currently using 7 because I like the way Aero looks with Cubase.

Integratron · Post by **Integratron** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 3:00 am

Hey Alfalfa - that's good news. Where did you get your windows 7 discs? or download?

There seems to be 100s of options. Which Win 7 did you get?

Alfalfa · Post by **Alfalfa** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 3:08 am

I bought 7 soon after it came out on ebay from someone selling Dell OEM disks. Now, though, I don't know if you'd actually get a legitimate serial number from such a grey market source. You can get an OEM version of 7 from Newegg. I think you have to buy some piece of hardware (a new graphics card?) or even a SATA cable will do.

Are you using on-board graphics or do you have a dedicated card? The card I bought to use instead of the on-board graphics is an ASUS nVidia 8400gs 512mb (clearly nothing special).

Integratron · Post by **Integratron** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 3:39 am

Thanks for all the info. I'm running the stock integrated (I believe) video that shipped with the system about 10 years ago.

It's a core2duo with 2gb ram and a 750 hard drive... Win XP Home and SP3.

Alfalfa · Post by **Alfalfa** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 3:50 am

That's not enough RAM to get the most out of your DAW. Old RAM is expensive. It might not be worth upgrading. You're looking at possibly a new graphics card, RAM, and Windows 7, and when you're done, you still have an old computer. Adding a graphics card could kick over your power supply. My upgrades were piecemeal, so each time, it was worth it to upgrade the individual item, but I'm also looking to get a new computer (well, I've been wanting a new computer for a few years). Just some things to think about.

Integratron · Post by **Integratron** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 3:08 pm

Thanks so much for all your help Alfalfa! - I'll take your advise.

metamorphosis · Post by **metamorphosis** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 9:38 pm

Actually that's easily enough ram, unless you're loading large sample libraries.
But you should stick with XP for that machine anyway - it's going to be faster for you, and use less ram.

ew · Post by ew » Thu Dec 12, 2013 12:01 am

dsan@mail.com wrote: The only W7 install disks still available (that I am aware of) are OEM disks. These have their own set of limitations. They are supposed to be one time only installs on one computer. I have not used them so I don't know if that restriction is enforced.

Not quite true- you can reinstall on the same system using the OEM disk. What you can't do is use the same disk later to install on a new machine. XP was set up so that any system the OS was installed on after six months of your previous install became your licensed system; you could use your previous XP license on a new system. It was technically a violation of the EULA, but a lot of people did it anyways.

ew

dsan@mail.com · Post by **dsan@mail.com** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 12:31 am

ew wrote:
dsan@mail.com wrote: The only W7 install disks still available (that I am aware of) are OEM disks. These have their own set of limitations. They are supposed to be one time only installs on one computer. I have not used them so I don't know if that restriction is enforced.
Not quite true- you can reinstall on the same system using the OEM disk. What you can't do is use the same disk later to install on a new machine. XP was set up so that any system the OS was installed on after six months of your previous install became your licensed system; you could use your previous XP license on a new system. It was technically a violation of the EULA, but a lot of people did it anyways.

ew

Thank you for bringing that to my attention. That causes me to rethink getting an OEM W7 for a new build. I was definitely under the impression those are one time only use.

Thanks ew!

Happy Musiking!
dsan

jdnz · Post by **jdnz** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 1:10 am

metamorphosis wrote:Actually that's easily enough ram, unless you're loading large sample libraries.
But you should stick with XP for that machine anyway - it's going to be faster for you, and use less ram.

actually, given the cheapness of ddr2-800 ram I'd just go ahead and upgrade - should be expandable to at least 4g and probably 8g (I've just been replacing a pile of similar vintage core2duo/core2quads here at work and a lot of them had 8g).

I'd go 8g if possible and show win7x64 (core2duo should be x64 compatible)

also chuck in a cheap/low power video card (the dell will have a rather small PSU, so won't run anything powerhungry - something like a nvida gt630 would be ideal) and you'll be able to run aero, and more importantly get a slight speed boost from not having to share system ram with video.

definitely worth asking around friends/workmates as older ram & video cards are the kind of thing you can probably score for a few beers

XP to 7 upgrade for Dell Inspiron 530